Retrospective long-term study of effects of berenil by follow-up of patients treated since 1965.

99 persons, 67 males and 32 females, who had earlier been diagnosed as having early stage disease of African Trypanosomiasis (AHT) and been treated with berenil were traced and brought to UTRO (Uganda Trypanosomiasis Research Organisation) for examination. These patients had each received 3 doses of berenil 5 mg/kg body weight at one or two day intervals. Each patient had a thorough physical and laboratory examination. All the cases were found in good physical health. The laboratory investigations were all found within normal limits. The period between when the cases were last treated with berenil and this examination varied between 12 months and over 109 months. Although various side effects were seen during treatment, the same were not seen when these cases were re-examined. Berenil is certainly effective in the treatment of early stage AHT though it produces some side effects which are not permanent. Furthermore these side effects are no more serious than the side effects produced by other trypanocidal drugs such as suramin. Berenil should, therefore, be considered as an alternative drug for treatment of early stage AHT.